Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

[Current treatment options for acute bronchiolitis in children]

Valdone Miseviciene1, Jurgis Bojarskas

  • 1Clinic of Children Diseases, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Lithuania. valdonemis@takas.lt

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|April 16, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Bronchiolitis, a common infant respiratory infection mainly caused by respiratory syncytial virus, often requires hospitalization. Current management relies on supportive care, with varied and controversial therapeutic approaches reviewed in this paper.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of infant lower respiratory tract infections and pediatric hospitalizations.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary pathogen, responsible for 50-90% of cases.
  • Despite its prevalence, management remains largely supportive, focusing on oxygen and fluids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and emerging treatment options for infant bronchiolitis.
  • To discuss the controversies and variations in therapeutic approaches globally.
  • To highlight recent advances in management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current treatment options for bronchiolitis.
  • Discussion of pharmacotherapies including bronchodilators, epinephrine, steroids, and ribavirin.
  • Exploration of recent advances such as immunotherapy and intensive care.

Main Results:

  • Current management of bronchiolitis primarily involves supportive care (oxygen, fluid management).
  • Therapeutic interventions like bronchodilators, epinephrine, steroids, and ribavirin show controversial efficacy.
  • Emerging strategies include immunotherapy and advanced intensive care interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Management of infant bronchiolitis remains largely unchanged, relying on supportive care.
  • Evidence supporting the efficacy of common pharmacotherapies is often controversial or limited.
  • Further research into novel treatments like immunotherapy is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...